The story begins in , just after the successful restoration of Meiji rule. The nation is at a crossroads, with former feudal regions yearning to connect with booming metropolises like Tokyo . As a rising rail tycoon, your mission is to navigate Japan’s famously mountainous terrain and iconic cherry blossom landscapes to lay the first tracks.

In the Northern Honshu scenario, you must overcome resistance to the Industrial Revolution. You are tasked with introducing Western technology to a traditional culture, starting with small capitals and critical goals like transporting rice, seafood, and sake .

Growth is centered around three-city clusters like Akita , where you must stimulate local industries such as toy manufacturing and soy sauce production to fuel regional expansion. Chapter 2: Twisted Paths (1900–1920)